Wale Ajetunmobi, Senior Special Assistant on Media to Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has made shocking claims regarding the arson at Television Continental (TVC) during the #EndSARS protests in 2020.
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According to Ajetunmobi, most of the perpetrators were “hunted and executed.”
In a post shared on X, Ajetunmobi alluded to detailed knowledge of events surrounding the attack on TVC, stating that the full story, including “gory clips and images,” will eventually be revealed. He added, “One thing to note: the majority of them have been hunted down and executed.”
No Clarity on Execution Claims
Ajetunmobi did not specify who was responsible for the alleged hunting and executions, leaving his statements open to interpretation. He cited an instance involving a young boy from Ketu, reportedly found with an AK-47 at the scene, further claiming neighbors were shocked at his involvement.
When PREMIUM TIMES attempted to clarify his statements, calls and messages to Ajetunmobi went unanswered. However, in response to a query on X about possible extra-judicial killings, he stated that some arsonists were killed in exchanges of gunfire with soldiers, while others fled. “Is that an extra-judicial killing to you?” he retorted.
Timeline Contradictions
Observers noted contradictions in Ajetunmobi’s narrative. His initial post implied the alleged executions occurred after the TVC attack, but he later suggested that some deaths occurred during the attack in clashes with soldiers.
It is worth noting that no reports of exchanges of gunfire between arsonists and security forces were documented on October 21, 2020—the day of the TVC attack. Instead, the only major clash involving soldiers and protesters occurred a day earlier, on October 20, 2020, at the Lekki toll gate.
Background: #EndSARS Protests and TVC Attack
The #EndSARS movement, a youth-led protest against police brutality, culminated in nationwide demonstrations in October 2020. SARS, the controversial police unit, was accused of extrajudicial killings, harassment, and extortion. The protests called for its disbandment and broader police reforms.
In Lagos, the initially peaceful protests were hijacked by hoodlums who orchestrated jailbreaks, looted warehouses, and targeted government and private properties. On October 21, 2020, arsonists attacked TVC headquarters in Ikosi-Ketu, Lagos, believed by many to be associated with President Bola Tinubu. Vehicles were set ablaze, and the building was extensively damaged, though no casualties were recorded.
Fallout and Government Response
In response to the chaos, Governor Sanwo-Olu imposed a 24-hour curfew and deployed security forces, including soldiers, to restore order. The Lagos State government has since spent substantial funds repairing damaged properties and compensating victims of the unrest.
Ejes Gist News understands that the latest comments by Ajetunmobi have reignited debates about accountability and transparency in the handling of the 2020 #EndSARS protests and the subsequent violence. Human rights lawyer, Inibehe Effiong has called for a comprehensive investigation into his claims.
